Manchester United returned to the thick of the English premier league title race with a vengeance on Saturday as they carved out a 2-0 victory over champions Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron and England's Paul Scholes struck in each half of a pulsating encounter as United eased the painful memories of the 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal in May that handed the north London club last season's championship.

Although Arsene Wenger's side enjoyed large spells of possession, danger man Thierry Henry was kept in check by a United side bristling with intent and the Highbury club were left contemplating a potentially ruinous fourth defeat of the campaign.

United's win, achieved in spite of a series of injuries, was fully deserved by Alex Ferguson's side and their third league success on the trot takes them to second in the table on 32 points, now just three points behind leaders Arsenal.

Third-placed Liverpool (31 points), who lost 2-1 to a resurgent United last week, and fourth-placed Chelsea (30) play later on Saturday.

Ferguson, shorn of the injured David Beckham, Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand, Nicky Butt and Quinton Fortune, plumped for his Champions League tactic of using Ruud van Nistelrooy as a lone front man and Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer supporting from wide.

With Phil Neville snapping at Patrick Vieira in midfield, the home side immediately stamped their authority on the contest, and after Giggs wasted a good position, Van Nistelrooy forced a sharp save out of Arsenal keeper Rami Shaaban -- in for the injured David Seaman -- from a 20-metre snapshot.

Arsenal's exuberance cannot be subdued for long, however, and they twice went close to taking the lead.

FINGERTIP SAVE

After 10 minutes Thierry Henry saw his sidefooted effort well saved by Fabien Barthez in front of goal, and then the move of the match moments later involved a lightning one-two between Robert Pires and Henry before Pires cheekily lobbed Barthez from 20 metres only for the Frenchman to fingertip the ball just wide.

However, in the 22nd minute United forced themselves into the lead after French defender Pascal Cygan gave the ball away on the edge of his area.

Although there was a suggestion of handball from Van Nistelrooy, the Dutch striker quickly released Scholes down the right and the England midfielder crossed low for Veron, who slid the ball home from close range.

Arsenal's Martin Keown, returning for the suspended Sol Campbell, escaped punishment when he appeared to slap Van Nistelrooy on the face.

Shaaban then suffered a muscle strain taking a goal kick and the Swede was replaced by Stuart Taylor just before halftime.

The visitors emerged in the second half with great purpose and urgency, although they had to rely on Taylor's alertness to deny Giggs from a quick free kick on 59 minutes.

There were niggling personal battle all over the pitch, but when Arsenal managed to dominate possession they were always a threat. Cygan could have atoned for his error but John O'Shea blocked his shot at the far post just after the hour.

But as in the first half, United's second -- 18 minutes from time -- arrived out of nothing.

Van Nistelrooy turned and fed Scholes, who advanced into the area before driving a right foot shot past Taylor with the aid of a slight deflection.

United's injured captain Roy Keane, who watched the game as a spectator, told Sky Sports TV: "It was a fantastic result -- it couldn't have gone better.